Category: California Stories

Going deeper into the woods tomorrow. End of wifi, phone signals, and clothes. I am pleading with the forces that be that Mother Nature will keep the flames low, not switching to the west, keep still and humid, and not converge onto the town I am driving through on the way. Please be good winds and have mercy on the people and the wild beasts.

The Subterraneans will be kicking off the Norcal tradition tomorrow by clearing out the hacienda of all detritus and dirt and locking up. Driving away from the steaming anxiety-belt that is S.F. and going up into the pockets of wild, moss-green.

I had the privilege of attending the 2018 Peacemaker Awards today at The City Club in San Francisco, originally named the Pacific Stock Exchange Lunch Club. It was wonderful to hear some exemplary speakers and to acknowledge members of our community who have done great work, including a high school student who has led 50 mediations already at Mission High!

It was also exhilarating to see such a pristine example of art deco, early modern design. The City Club building was erected in 1931, one year after the collapse of the stock exchange. It is known to be one of the finest examples of design from that era in The City, and possibly the country (though Chicago may have some stiff competition). Nearly all of the furniture and accoutrements in the club are the originals, kept in pristine, swanky condition. The fine, artistic details throughout are an example of what was to come in the United States when, through the New Deal, many artists were commissioned to incorporate artisanal details into city structures.

It is also not everyday that I get up close and personal with such an historic Diego Rivera mural, this one is called:

Also known as “Allegory of California” it was the first mural painted by Rivera in the United States, after having done a series of revolutionary works in Mexico City. There is a lot of information about this mural, many ideas about the symbols, and better pics than this – I was using my janky phone.

Architect Timothy Pflueger paid Rivera $2,500 to paint it. It is a beautiful piece, rich in history and irony- the most precious treasure in this monument to capitalism was left for us by a communist.

Calafia in her collar of golden wheat

The ceiling above Calafia

Walls of the Grand Salon

Walls and ceiling of the Grand Salon

10th floor hallway

The Game Room

cocktail relics

Door to the game room

Zodiac relief fireplace in the 11th floor dining room

Hallway to the Grand Salon

View from the 11th floor Dining Room

I also got 3 business cards from attorneys who all offered me job opportunities. Fun, interesting day!